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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Songs - how did it’s meaning get so lost?

306 replies

PrincipalVernon · 14/11/2018 22:34

Sparked from another thread that was slightly off topic but reminded me how irritated I get by it-
Anyone else feel a slow burning rage when people mistake the meaning of songs so for example I have been to a fair few weddings where the couple walk onto the dance floor and their song is ‘marry you’ or ‘every breath you take’
Now I know it’s their choice, their song so who cares but I can’t help that little build up in side that makes me what to grab the mic and shout ‘listen to the words people!!’
Just want to point out that I’ve never actually done that, I stand there and smile
Am I alone in getting irritated by something so pointless?

OP posts:
thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:08

Should have played "You're a Cocklodger" to the tune of "She's a Maneater" at mine and Xs.

AnotherPidgey · 14/11/2018 23:10

Not first dance songs, but the popularity of "Band of Gold" and "Young Hearts Run Free" at wedding discos always makes me raise an eyebrow. Wedding DJs must be a cynical bunch Grin

The pool of genuinely romantic songs representing healthy modern relationships is pretty small really!

SpitefulMidLifeAnimal · 14/11/2018 23:11

A rather homophobic ex-colleague walked down the aisle to The Power Of Love - the Frankie version. I could never understand that.

Lilmisskittykat · 14/11/2018 23:11

I had a friend who had fast car as their first dance (he was a car fanatic) - that is such a sad and depressing song about someone never really getting away from a depressing life... they must have just heard 'fast car' and thought that's the one 🤷‍♀️

ShadyLady53 · 14/11/2018 23:12

Was asked to sing I Will Always Love You at a wedding. I refused as the first line is “If I should stay, I would only be in your way.”

Bride then suggested My Heart Will Go On. I explained the meaning of the song.

Then she asked for There You’ll Be which has exactly the same back story as the above song (dead lover).

She chose I Will Always Love You as her first dance anyway. 18 months later sadly they divorced.

Also had to recently explain to a bride and groom that Abide With Me is a hymn about death. They had read the lyrics and said the words were especially meaningful and they wanted it as their entrance hymn;

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me.

Many people absolutely do not listen to the words. Some people just don’t care.

thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:12

blue i agree the Shania song is perfect. What about Etta James' "At Last" too?

ballsdeep · 14/11/2018 23:13

Wtf about Shania twain

Careofcell44 · 14/11/2018 23:13

As a teen I went to a wedding where Band of Gold was the first dance song, I guess they hadn't listened to the lyrics.

SlowlyShrinking · 14/11/2018 23:13

I knew a couple whose song was “Maggie May” 😳😬😱

bluegirlblue · 14/11/2018 23:14

Oh yeah, Etta James At last... that is sweet too. Smile

bluegirlblue · 14/11/2018 23:16

Oh and third finger left hand! That used to be played at weddings that I went to in the 80's! (Martha Reeves and the Vandellas was it?)

Lovely wedding song too.

thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:16

The Shania song has a lovely line in it "i give my hand to you with all my heart" lovely for a wedding day.

ShadyLady53 · 14/11/2018 23:17

Blue I managed to shift Bride 1 to From This Moment On from My Heart Will Go On for signing of the register.

It always makes me laugh when I see primary school children innocently singing Hallelujah in the Christmas Concert or Carol Service...it’s SO not a religious song.

One of my favourite memories is of my then 7 year old nephew earnestly singing Turn Me On as his party piece on holiday once.

bluegirlblue · 14/11/2018 23:17

It's beautiful isn't it thigh Smile

bluegirlblue · 14/11/2018 23:18

@Shadylady Grin

thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:18

Yvonne Fair "it should have been me" always envisaged some wedding guest standing up and belting that out.

CoolCarrie · 14/11/2018 23:20

Shame that Shania’s husband was shagging her best friend!

ShadyLady53 · 14/11/2018 23:20

Poor Shania 😔

EdinaMonsoon · 14/11/2018 23:21

ShadyLady53 How could anyone think Abide With Me would be suitable for a wedding Confused. It is beautiful though.

OP I’m with you on “Every breath you take”. Creepy AF.

PerkingFaintly · 14/11/2018 23:21

meow1989, did you manage to squeeze "It shoulda been me?" onto your playlist? Sung by the bridesmaid?Grin

Wearywithteens · 14/11/2018 23:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:21

My sister had a soloist singing the Shania song straight after the vows. My idea

CoolCarrie · 14/11/2018 23:23

Shania ended up marrying her ex best friend’s ex husband! How’s that for a wife/ husband swap!

ShadyLady53 · 14/11/2018 23:23

@EdinaMonsoon - I know! It was the fact they said the words meant a lot to them that really flummoxed me. They’d clearly read them.

God, I love this thread - it’s so cathartic. 20 years of singing at weddings, the frustration builds.

thighofrelief · 14/11/2018 23:24

Sister is a musical idiot and probably would have had "Ben" by MJ or something.